Cash or Credit Card

thenextbigthing

I'm off on holiday to Sweden at the end of June, and i have to pay for my hotels when i get there, which will be about £800, plus spending money for 2 weeks, so would i be better off changing money over here and taking it over or putting it on the credit card (Natwest Mastercard)?

sarah_2-2

I'm not really sure what the deal is with commission with both of these, but I've been travelling the last few months and all I took with me was my debit card. It's ideal (in places that accept credit cards anyway)- no need to carry cash, but can be used at more or less any local ATM to withdraw small amounts of local currency, and Nationwide at least (there may be a couple more) dont charge a penny for using the card or withdrawing cash (which is unusual). Have a good time! :beer:

JackyF

Although a credit card company will charge you a percentage for foreign transactions it will probably be cheaper than changing money as they will get the inter-bank rate.

However, you seem to have sufficient time before you go to get down to the Nationwide and open a Flexaccount. As Sarah says, your Flexaccount card works just like a visa card but Nationwide do not make a charge for foreign use. OK, you have to deposit enough in the account to cover your holiday spending on the card but you get a good rate for purchases and no charges on cash withdrawals from ATMs.

J